MANCHESTER, England – The memories of Manchester United's defeat to Celtic are still fresh for Alex Ferguson.
As the two sides prepare to meet Tuesday in the Champions League, the United manager can't help looking back at the 1-0 group stage loss to Celtic in 2006 that followed a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford
Shunsuke Nakamura scored with free kicks in both those matches, and Ferguson will certainly remind his players of that threat.
“We don't want to be giving goals away as easily as last time,” Ferguson said Monday. “We have to respect, in the case of Nakamura, he has truly fantastic free kicks. That's something we have to concentrate on tomorrow.”
Ferguson, a Scotsman and former player with Celtic's fierce Glasgow rival Rangers, eagerly anticipates facing Scottish sides and knows he faces merciless taunting should United lose.
“It's a challenge making sure you try to win these games because you've got friends that will never let you forget,” Ferguson said. “It adds a bit of spice to the occasion.”
Adding to Ferguson's irritation in 2006 was the satisfaction it gave Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, who has a prickly relationship with his former coach. Strachan played for Ferguson at Aberdeen, Scotland and United.
Strachan recognizes that facing a surging United is going to be very tough.
“You have to try and face United with ability, pace, strength, height and character and to try and get all of that in 11 players, in a team, is very hard,” he said. “The players know what's coming and they are looking forward to the challenge. A lot of them were here two years ago so they know what to expect.”
After a 0-0 draw with Villarreal at Old Trafford last month, United responded by winning 3-0 at Aalborg to top Group E on goal difference, and Ferguson is keen to protect United's 16-match unbeaten run at home in the Champions League.
Celtic has an appalling record on the road in the Champions League – losing 15 straight group matches away from Celtic Park since 2004 – and Strachan bristles when the issue is raised.
“That record can easily be remedied – don't win the SPL, then you don't have to play in the Champions League,” said Strachan, who has steered Celtic to three consecutive Scottish titles. “Apart from that run the team has done a lot of good things.”
Celtic will likely have to produce an exceptional display at Old Trafford on Tuesday to come away with anything from the game. United is going strong in the Premier League after a slow start and England striker Wayne Rooney is in top form, scoring eight goals in his past six games for club and country.
Ferguson also believes his side is better now than two years ago.
“We're a more mature side now and have a more complete squad,” Ferguson said earlier. “I don't think Celtic have changed much. At home they have one of the best records in Europe and their away form is still one of the worst.”
“Celtic will be fired up because their fans demand that. Their supporters will always have an expectation of their team to attack. I don't think Celtic will come here to attack but they will have a go when they can.”
Making Celtic's task more difficult will be a lack of options up front. Georgios Samaras, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Chris Killen are all sidelined.
Contrast that with United, which had four different scorers – Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Nani – in its 4-0 demolition of West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
“I'm really enjoying my football at the moment,” Rooney said. “The team are really helping me in everything I do. Hopefully that will continue and I can help this team win some more trophies.”
Rooney failed to score in United's first seven games this season, but is on a roll now.
“Wayne does tend to score goals in spurts which is probably a sign of his immaturity,” Ferguson said. “He's young so he'll have a barren spell again and then come back to scoring. But when he gets older his goal scoring will spread out better. I think that's a natural thing that will happen.”
